Bring Out New Fabrics
The first step of transitioning into the FW (fall/winter) wardrobe would be to rotate your fabrics. Leave the linen behind and start looking to the breathable and temperature regulating merino wool. Bring out the thicker cotton garments, and heavier weaves than what you’d wear in mid-summer.
For your trousers, linen and tropical wool will not be very helpful in keeping out the autumn chill. I assume you will bring out some of the heavier weaves of your suiting wardrobe, but autumn is also a great season for casual wear. I have a pair of tailored corduroy trousers in a dark bottle green that has been my number one go-to for this season.
It is also time to bring out some of the warmer shirts. A thick Oxford shirt will make a big difference compared to a lose and light linen one. There are also warmer variants I always look forward to wearing, like the Mond Kashco shirt that has a mixture of cotton and cashmere in a flannel weave. I like flannel shirts, though in a more subtle design than the typical lumberjack look.
The Mond Kashco shirt
Layering
While layering is great for building more complex and interesting outfit variations, layering with function in mind can allow you to easily adopt the temperature change during the day.
I often like to start with the sweaters. It's a versatile garment that can work in both a casual and semi-formal (in the Norwegian term) setting. I think a sweater on top of a shirt and tie is a great combination of formal wear and casual wear, and it allows for quick temperature adjustments by for example taking off the sweater and putting it on top of your shoulders.
The sweater can also be worn on top of a jacket
A work appropriate ensemble in autumn-friendly colors
It is also the time where we start wearing jackets to help protect you from cold, windy, and rainy days. There are many jackets that work well with the season, but a couple of key pieces stand out for me.
A wool or cashmere overshirt adds both warmth and texture, and it’s one of my favorite pieces to bring out once the weather allows. It’s surprisingly versatile - I wear it over knits, shirts and ties, or even a plain t-shirt.
Then there is the every-so popular and traditional waxed jacket - perhaps the quintessential autumn piece. Synonymous with Barbour, this heritage style has been worn by everyone from British royalty to country explorers, and for good reason. It's rumored to be so durable that you can pass it on for generations!
Overshirt and knitted polo from SuitSupply
AJ Dee (@thefilodapper) wearing a waxed Barbour jacket
I also want to mention the trench coat, which I'm a huge fan of. A sand colored lightweight version or a more formal blue or black can be great additions to the wardrobe. They are often windproof and a little waterproof as well.
Color Palettes
When you think about autumn, what colors do you think about? I think it’s almost instinctive to connect autumn with earth tones, the rich browns, burnt oranges, and earthy tones of falling leaves. That doesn't mean you have to shy away from light colors completely - adding a beige contrast is a great way to break up the total outfit.
Muted tones are easy to combine as they tend to compliment one another effortlessly. That gives your garments some added versatility and interesting use cases when looking at combining them. Take for instance the dark green corduroy trousers I mentioned earlier. I like to pair them with brown or even shades of red. Some dark brown loafers or chukka boots and the outfit is complete.
Combining textures, fabrics, and colors is what makes autumn style so rewarding and interesting. The variation of these three elements adds depth and interest to your outfits - and it doesn’t require as much effort at you might think. A few key pieces will get you far, as you can see with how I use my brown kashco shirt for different combinations in the pictures above.
May your coffee be strong, your knits soft, and your layers well considered!
Cheers
